Mountain Biking - hard forks?

are forks for dirt jumping meant to be really hard or really soft? i dont know much about jumping, but to me it seems that the softer they are the less shock you get. but ive read a few reviews on DJ forks and they say 'these forks were really great, they were so hard'
im lookin for new forks and im not sure to go with the Dirt jumper 1s (new from friend) or the marzocchi drop offs (£130)
i have at the moment MZ comps (from my kona blast) i quite like these and they seem quite springy, but is this what i want fro DJs?
cheers

I would say for Dirt jumping, you would want them to be really stiff. But when my friend showed me his Dirt Jumpers, they were really soft, like he had just bought it and was riding his Norco Bigfoot around.

I would say for Dirt jumping, you would want them to be really stiff. But when my friend showed me his Dirt Jumpers, they were really soft, like he had just bought it and was riding his Norco Bigfoot around.

The misinformation you continue to spread about these forks is really beginning to annoy me. What were likely undersprung/underoiled/under preloaded forks you continue to bring up as proof that they are soft. Please stop. The dirtjumpers are amongst the stiffest forks on the market both laterally and spring rate.

Go buy a set, ride them for a long period and have someone set them up properly, THEN give the information.



i have at the moment MZ comps (from my kona blast) i quite like these and they seem quite springy, but is this what i want fro DJs


Any marz fork can be made stiffer. Its easy and doesn't require a replacement. Get thicker oil, stiffer spring or increase the preload. All of which will make for a stiffer feeling fork. Generally (excluding the dj line) marz forks are very progressive. Soft at the top, stiff at the bottom. So what you might find springy is the top of the stroke. Which is actually the way they are designed. :)

so why are DJing forks really stiff? What are the advantages?

so why are DJing forks really stiff? What are the advantages?

so you dont soak up the jump like a bump on the ground :p

ok i see. are DJ ones also good for street/freestyle?

ok i see. are DJ ones also good for street/freestyle?

If your perogative is to have a fork that feels rigid and only works when you land nose heavy or make a mistake then yes it is fine. I like plush forks. Soft at the top and stiff at the bottom

right i'll have to do some thinking then. because the fork i have at them monent is nice and plush and i quite like that. not sure if i want to change to something that is quite rigid

Oic, thank god!. I finally know what is the purpose my of RST Capa T4 preload, thanx

Its all about preference, i have broken my wrists countless times and i need a fork with a lot of squish to it. You do have to pull up harder on jumps with a squishy fork but you get used to it, and if your not smooth you will have no chance at all to jump big tight packs. There are a lot of downsides to a squishy fork but it all comes down to preference.